Nice: Lerins Islands Boat Tour with Snorkeling

Between Nice and the Lérins Islands, the Mediterranean is the main event: you trade city streets for open water, swim above an underwater sculpture site, then step ashore on Sainte-Marguerite. It is a brisk, sea-focused way to see a quieter side of the Riviera.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at 12, keeps the trip personal, and the route combines snorkeling with time on an island rather than making the whole outing a boat ride. Skipper Leo has led guided snorkel swims and explained the sights along the way.

One consideration: the timing needs a closer look. The tour is advertised as four hours, but the listed stop durations add up to longer, and the island visit is described as both roughly 30 minutes and 1.5 hours.

Quick take: what makes this trip different

• The underwater stop is more than a swim break: You can snorkel around sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor, with masks and snorkels provided.
• You get ashore on Sainte-Marguerite: The stop gives you time to walk among gardens and vineyards, and perhaps pause at a café.
• The group is small: With no more than 12 participants, it is easier to ask the skipper questions and follow along during the snorkel.
• The boat reaches the Baie des Milliardaires: This bay is accessible only by boat, with Mediterranean vegetation and villas tucked among the trees.
• The outing includes open-water swimming: Life jackets are included, but passengers who cannot swim are not allowed in the water.
• There is no restroom on board: Bring water, use facilities before meeting, and plan for a full four hours at sea.

Leaving Nice for the Lérins Islands

The trip starts at Balade en mer, Boat Trip Nice | Nissa Croisières, just in front of the Port Lympia tram stop. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The late-arrival rule is strict: late passengers are not accepted, so leave a margin for finding the meeting point and getting there on time.

Once aboard, you head out by speedboat. The first sightseeing cruise is listed as 30 minutes, a useful stretch to settle in, take in the coast and listen to the skipper’s live commentary. Music is played on board, and the guide speaks French and English.

This is a compact boat outing, not a slow ferry crossing. You are trading the steady pace of a large sightseeing vessel for a smaller group and a route built around swimming, snorkeling and short stops. That suits you if you want to get into the water; it is less appealing if you prefer a dry, leisurely cruise.

The group limit of 12 matters. It gives the skipper room to speak directly with passengers and makes it easier to stay together during the swim. The available information does not specify the boat’s seating or shade, so pack a hat and sunscreen rather than counting on cover.

Snorkeling at Jason deCaires Taylor’s underwater sculptures

The longest water stop is listed as 75 minutes, for a break, photos, snorkeling and marine-life viewing around the underwater sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor. Masks and snorkels are supplied, as are life jackets. The site offers a distinctive reason to get into the Mediterranean: you can look for native sea life around an art installation rather than simply swim in open water.

The skipper may guide the snorkel swim. Leo has been praised for joining passengers in the water, explaining the sights and helping people feel at ease. He has even shown a passenger how to do a backflip off the boat, a playful extra rather than a promised part of the trip.

Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen and water. Sunglasses and a hat are useful while you are on deck, and a jacket can help if the breeze picks up. Food and drinks are not included, so pack what you need or plan to buy something during the island stop.

Be honest with yourself about swimming. This is not a trip where you can simply stay aboard while everyone else enters the water: passengers who cannot swim are not permitted to go in. A life jacket is included, but it does not change that safety rule.

A short landing on Sainte-Marguerite

Sainte-Marguerite offers a welcome change of pace after the swim. The tour description points to scenic paths, gardens and vineyards, with a chance to stop at one of the island cafés for a local refreshment. On a short visit, you will need to choose: stroll, take photos, or sit down for a drink rather than attempting a full island circuit.

There is a significant timing inconsistency to resolve before you book. The description says you disembark for roughly 30 minutes, while the itinerary assigns Sainte-Marguerite a 1.5-hour visit. That difference changes the feel of the trip: half an hour is a quick leg stretch, while 90 minutes allows a more relaxed walk and café stop.

Ask the operator to confirm the actual time ashore for your departure. The overall advertised duration is four hours, but the listed itinerary blocks total 4.5 hours: 30 minutes, 75 minutes, 1.5 hours, 45 minutes and another 30 minutes. You should not assume every stop will last exactly as listed without checking.

The island stop is valuable because it breaks up the boat time. You can stretch your legs, see a little of the island at your own pace, and enjoy a café if the schedule allows. But this is not a dedicated island tour, so do not book it expecting a long, guided history walk.

The Baie des Milliardaires and the Antibes coast

The route also takes you toward the Baie des Milliardaires, a bay that can be reached only by boat. The appeal is the coastal view: Mediterranean vegetation covers the shore, and villas sit among the trees. From the water, you get a perspective that a road trip cannot offer.

The itinerary assigns 45 minutes to Antibes for a guided tour and boat cruise. The details do not specify a shore visit there, so treat this as a coastal segment rather than assuming you will disembark and explore town. If Antibes itself is a priority, check with the operator about what the stop includes.

The remaining 30-minute sightseeing cruise brings you back toward Nice. By then, you will have had a mix of open-water views, a snorkel stop, island time and a look at the coast. The route is varied for a half-day outing, though the exact balance depends on how the timing discrepancy is resolved.

What the $123 price gets you

At $123 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Riviera from the water. The value lies in combining several activities in one small-group outing: a speedboat ride, guided commentary, snorkel gear, a swim stop at the underwater sculptures, time on Sainte-Marguerite and a coastal cruise.

You do not need to rent your own snorkeling equipment, arrange a separate boat to the islands or plan the route yourself. The group cap of 12 and the skipper’s presence in the water can also make the outing feel more personal than a large sightseeing cruise. If you want to swim and see several coastal spots in one booking, that bundle may justify the price.

The price does not include food, drinks or hotel pickup and drop-off. You meet at Port Lympia, so include the cost and time of getting there in your plans. The café stop on Sainte-Marguerite is an opportunity to buy refreshments, not a meal included in the fare.

For a dry boat tour or a long island visit, the price is harder to defend. You are paying for a water-based excursion, and the best value comes when you are comfortable swimming and want the combination of snorkeling and coastal scenery.

Who should book this boat tour

This trip suits confident swimmers who want an active half-day on the sea and enjoy switching between boat time, snorkeling and a little shore exploration. It can work well for couples, friends or solo visitors who like small groups and are happy with an itinerary that moves at the skipper’s pace.

It is a poor fit if you cannot swim, want to stay dry, need a restroom on board, or have limited mobility. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, people over 110 kg, or people over 75. Pets are not allowed.

Weather matters on a boat trip. Bad weather can lead to a postponement or cancellation with a refund. The booking terms also allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Practical details before you set off

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water and a jacket. There is no restroom on board, so use one before you reach the meeting point and avoid treating the boat as a place to store anything you will need quickly.

Arrive 15 minutes early at the meeting point in front of the Port Lympia tram stop. Late arrivals are not accepted. Since the trip is limited to 12 people, the schedule is tight enough that the boat cannot be expected to wait for stragglers.

The tour is offered in French and English, and masks, snorkels, life jackets, insurance and the skipper are included. Food, drinks and hotel transfers are not. Check the departure time and confirm how long you will have on Sainte-Marguerite, since the published time descriptions conflict.

Should you book it?

Book this if you can swim, want a small-group outing and like the idea of snorkeling at an underwater sculpture site before seeing the islands and coast by boat. The strongest ingredients are the varied route, the chance to snorkel with gear provided, and a skipper such as Leo who can make the water stop more engaging with commentary and a guided swim.

Skip it if you need a longer, clearly scheduled visit ashore, cannot swim, or would rather explore Antibes on foot. Before paying, confirm the Sainte-Marguerite stop length and how the itinerary fits into the four-hour duration. That one detail will help you decide whether this is the brisk island-and-sea sampler you want or a tighter trip than you had in mind.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The advertised duration is four hours. The listed itinerary segments add up to 4.5 hours, so confirm the timing for your departure.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet just in front of the Port Lympia tram stop at Balade en mer, Boat Trip Nice | Nissa Croisières.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Late arrivals are not accepted.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, along with a life jacket.

Can I join if I cannot swim?

No. Passengers who cannot swim are not permitted to enter the water.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You may be able to buy refreshments at a café on Sainte-Marguerite.

Is there a restroom on board?

No. There is no restroom on board.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five are not suitable for this activity.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be postponed or canceled in bad weather, with a refund if it is canceled.